Ex-BJP MP claims police officer 'tortured' right-wing vigilante Puneeth Kerehalli

Meanwhile, Pratap Simha and MLA Harish Poonja have been booked by Bengaluru police for 'illegal' gathering and protest.

Puneeth Kerehalli(L) and Pratap Simha.

Credit: DH Photos

Former BJP MP Pratap Simha on Wednesday alleged that right-wing vigilante Puneeth Kerehalli, who was recently arrested for causing a ruckus at the KSR railway station in Bengaluru, was tortured by the police.

Speaking to reporters at the Basaveshwara Nagar police station, the former MP claimed that Kerehalli was held at the Cottonpet police station even before he was produced in front of a magistrate. He also accused the Vijayanagar Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Chandan Kumar, of subjecting the Kerehalli to violence.

"He [Kerehalli] was taken into a room at the Cottonpet police station,” Simha claimed. "He was stripped and made to stand in the nude. Kerehalli has alleged that ACP Kumar tortured him. Does the law allow anyone to be stripped? Are there homosexuals in the police department?"

Simha also demanded an inquiry be initiated on Kumar, who gained popularity for probing the recent murder case involving actor Darshan Thoogudeepa, and an FIR be registered against Abdul Razack Khan, who took delivery of the meat consignment.

Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayananda confirmed to DH that a written complaint was submitted to Additional Commissioner of Police (West) N Satheesh Kumar. "An inquiry will be conducted," Dayananda said.

Meanwhile, an FIR has been registered against Simha, Kerehalli, the BJP's Belthangady MLA Harish Poonja and others for illegal gathering and protesting at the police station.

"The permission to protest is only at the Freedom Park. Hence, the case has been registered," a senior police officer told DH.

On July 26, around 150 cartons containing meat were intercepted at the railway station. Kerehalli, along with a dozen of his associates, reached the spot and caused a ruckus. He alleged that dog meat was being brought into the city and raised questions on the edible quality if it indeed was goat or sheep meat.

Police officials and food inspectors reached the spot and confiscated the meat for testing. Kerehalli was subsequently arrested by the police and booked. He was then moved to a hospital after he complained of illness.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), Karnataka, has now dispelled the rumours and clarified that the meat was Ovis aries (sheep).